Harvey was named 2018 City of the Year by the North Dakota League of Cities (NDLC) during the League's 2018 Annual Conference, Sept. 15, in Grand Forks. Mayor Ann Adams accepted the award on behalf of the city.

Founded in 1893 as a "railroad town", the city operated as most do…adding to infrastructure on a piece-by-piece basis on the least-bid cost. Not the way to run a railroad…much less a city. So, in 2002 the city invited private sector participation in complementary initiatives - developing a strategic plan that would focus on economic development, education, clinical care, fire protection, core utility infrastructure, law enforcement, city-owned infrastructure, and parks and recreations facilities while allowing the city to control its own narrative.

The project was broken down into 4 sectors:

1.Rebuild and expand basic infrastructure, initial development of a new industrial park and provision for adequate child care.

2.Renewal and expansion of public spaces such as ballparks, walkways, bikeways and downtown people-sticky places.

3.Private sector entities whose development and economic effort complemented that of the city.

4.Renewed engagement to the city by private individuals, civic organizations/clubs, communities of faith and grant-awarding agencies.

In his presentation of the City of the Year award to Harvey, NDLC Executive Director Blake Crosby outlined many recent accomplishments of the city based on the strategic plan:

·2002-new 300,000 gallon water tower;

·state-of-the art water treatment plant that draws water from the Sheyenne River to serve the city and surrounding areas;

·total replacement of city water mains;

·new 500,000 gallon water storage;

·several new sewer lift stations with the needed sewer pipeline and replacing associated street and gutter;

·2016 saw the beginning of a $7.5 million rebuild of the city's entire roadway system;

·new public park with amenities;

·stand-alone child care facility;

·new Industrial Park Addition;

·private-sector initiated construction of housing for the ambulance service, Central Dakota Food Pantry, new worship facilities, gardening and beautification of city parks;

·13 new businesses located within the city;

·high-speed fiber along each alleyway to employ the Internet of Things (IoT) for personal, entrepreneurial, and commercial activities.

Taken together, the planned initiatives from 2002 forward total approximately $24.1 million in public cost and well over $1 million in private sector funding. This is an incredible investment for an urban community of approximately 1,800 citizens.

The City of the Year Award was established in 1984 to recognize North Dakota Cities for the quality, number and progressiveness of activities undertaken in the community.

Well done, Harvey!

Kenmare CommunityDevelopment
Corporation May Build to Suit Your Business

By Terry Froseth | The Kenmare News | March 2018

Work on a new strip mall
development is now well underway at the location of the former Super Valu
grocery store of downtown Kenmare.

Anyone already in business
in Kenmare, or anyone who has ever considered starting a new business, may want
to look at moving into the new development.

It will also be a great
opportunity for any business that wants to relocate to Kenmare.

Jamie Livingston and Larry
Melgaard, both officers of the State Bank & Trust of Kenmare, as well as
both being board members of the Kenmare Community Development Corporation,
would love to talk to anyone interested in occupying the space.

Livingston said, “We’re
looking for new or existing businesses. Or those that want to expand or just
move.”

According to Melgaard,
there have been some inquiries about the new store fronts, but nothing is
spoken for.

At this point of the
construction phase, a new business could have their space somewhat tailored to
their specific needs. Livingston said, “We can still build to suit.”

Informally known as the East
Mall, as it is located east of the downtown business square, the development
will be similar in nature to the new west side downtown business development.

As with the West Side
Development, the East Mall Development was envisioned as a gift for the betterment
of the community by State Bank & Trust president Jim Jorgenson, and his
wife Cyndy.

The East Mall project has
an initial budget of $593,000. When construction is complete and the store
fronts are ready to be occupied, the Jorgensons plan to gift the entire
property to the Kenmare Community Development Corporation.

The Development
Corporation, as the owners of the property, would charge a relatively cheap
rent, based on the prorated share of the building’s property tax and insurance
costs.

Livingston said he
believes the Jorgensons have the desire to help Kenmare’s downtown flourish, as
it is so unique. He added, “I think Jim wants spaces where businesses can
operate as cheaply as possible, and give it a go.”

Melgaard said, “How many
other places could you get into a business this inexpensively, and have
everything brand new?”

Melgaard stated, “You have
to wonder what the business square would look like today, without the new west
side development.”

Several years ago, only
one business, Kenmare Drug, remained in operation on Kenmare’s west side of the
business square. All of the dilapidated buildings were demolished and the new
strip mall style building was constructed at a price tag around $3 million.

At the completion of
construction, Jim and Cyndy Jorgenson donated the strip mall to the Development
Corporation. Today, those west side storefronts are fully occupied by eight
individually owned businesses.

The East Mall will have a
similar look, but not identical, to the downtown West Side strip mall, with
stucco and stone exterior. A distinct feature of its look will be the awnings
above the doors and windows.

The building’s design
allows for five entrances and numerous windows. At present, the floor plan
calls for three suites, the largest about 2400 square feet in size, occupying
the north half of the building.

The other two suites would
measure approximately 782 sq. ft. (suite 2), and 1300 sq. ft. (suite 3).

A small area at the back
end of the building, about 400 sq. ft., could also be used as part of suite 3,
or as a separate fourth suite, suitable for a single office, perhaps.

Each unit will have
separate mechanicals, such as plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling. The
building will be very well insulated, along with new roofing. Much of the new
exterior wall insulation, inside and out, is already in place.

The building’s full
basement, about 6000 sq. ft, will continue to be rented out to multiple parties
as storage space for boats and vehicles, and such. However, it could be
converted to use for one renter, for any other purpose, if needed.

Construction of the East
Mall is expected to be completed by late summer. There again, arrangements
could be made for first-come, first-served. If a business were to commit early,
they could have their space built out and ready to move in much sooner.

Scott Reishus of Mohall is
the general contractor of the project. His crew began work at the location this
past November.

In addition to the East
Mall and the West Side, the Kenmare Community Development Corporation has
business space available for lease on the south side of the business square.

A large office space is
now available with Burke-Divide Electric Co-op recently moving out to their new
facility just north of town. The available space has its access and parking at
the back alley.

A very nice second floor
office space at the same location may also be available soon.

Anyone interested in the
new East Mall, or interested in locating to the south side office spaces,
should contact Jamie Livingston or Larry Melgaard at the State Bank & Trust
of Kenmare, phone 701-385-4287.

Any of the other
members of the Kenmare Community Development Corporation may also be contacted.
They include: Melissa Sagness, Kirk Harris, Terry Froseth, Heidi Robbins, Shane
Heidel, Scot Ness, Joddy Meidinger, Marki Ellis, and Troy Hedberg. Kristy Borud
serves as the group’s executive director.

The Cavalier County Job Development Authority is seeking respondents to this Expression of Interest (the “EOI”) regarding both the redevelopment of certain portions of the existing and now decommissioned Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex (the “SRMSC”) and development of the greenfield portion of the site totaling almost 200 acres and 235,000 sq.ft. of shell space. From industry outreach and trends, the CCJDA understands that this site appears well regarded as a location where both secure and top-secret/highly-secure Data Centers can be constructed due to the location and secure-site history, in addition to other site and community development features including but not limited to a distribution warehousing hub, hotel, Industrial Park, and museum/site experience of the existing SRMSC.

The purpose of this EOI is to seek the industry’s perspectives, feedback and suggestions on the specific development visions that may be envisioned, and more specifically, to provide an opportunity to begin a dialogue with the CCJDA whereby this unique site can be reactivated for the mutual benefit of all parties. Interested firms, developers, specialty firms, industry visionaries, and related parties are strongly encouraged to submit responses with as many detailed comments as possible. The information contained in the responses to this EOI will help the CCJDA and community leaders to steer planning and development efforts that are forward thinking.

We ask that you review the attached EOI materials and links on the CCJDA website (www.CCJDA.org/eoi) for additional information including site photographs, site history, existing SRMSC floor plans, site reports, and other data.

Please direct all communications and questions associated with this EOI to me so that we may promptly respond; and know that we look forward to your inquiries and response.

Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure has
released new information regarding upgrades on Provincial Highway 39.

The highway has already been four-laned from Estevan to
Bienfait and meets U.S. Highway 52 at Portal.

According to Dave Marit, the Minister of Highways and
Infrastructure, 16 passing lanes will be installed on the approximate 100-mile
stretch of highway that starts south of Regina and ends at Estevan.

It remains unclear at this time if the remaining 27 miles
of Provincial 39 from Bienfait to the border will be improved.

Three short, four-lane sections are still being
considered; just to the south of Weyburn, at Corrine, where Highway 39 splits
into Provincial Highway 6 and south of Regina where an existing four-lane
stretch will be extended a few miles to the town of Rowatt.

“Passing lanes are an economically feasible solution to
improve the level of service on the highways 6 and 39 corridor,” Marit said.
“The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is working to construct one set of
passing lanes next year, with the overall intent to construct a total of 16
along the entire corridor from Regina to Estevan. Short segments of twinning
are also part of the future project scope, where traffic volumes are highest.”

Marit was in Kenmare in October to attend a Highway
52/Provincial 39 summit and gave indications at that time of the passing lanes
and short stretches of four-lane highway.

Now, it’s been finalized and work will resume in the
spring.

There’s any number of possibilities on how the changes
will affect U.S. 52 after the 2020 target date for completion.

However, committee members indicate that because safety is
a higher priority than economics, perhaps passing lanes should be included on
U.S. 52 to parallel what the Saskatchewan ministry has in the works.

U.S. 52 meets U.S. Highway 2 west of Burlington at a spot
most people know as Brooks Ranch. The highway distance from there to Portal is
80 miles.

Following the October summit meeting, the North Dakota
Department of Transportation announced it is putting U.S. 52 on its list for
long-term strategic planning.

DOT Director Tom Sorel, Transportation Program Director
Steve Salwei and DOT Minot District Director Jim Redding, all attended the
Kenmare summit and met with Marit and his staff regarding the Provincial 39
improvements.

There remains some concern on the American side about the
time line of when the Saskatchewan highway improvements may be completed.

Marit didn’t lay out an exact completion date, however
added the four-lane bypass around Estevan and the four-lane to Bienfait was a
two-year project.

Passing lanes are obviously not as complicated, time
consuming or expensive, but Marit suggests the uncompleted sections will take
at least another three years.

Small portions of improvement have already been made in
localized spots along Provincial 39 and Marit believes that may slightly reduce
the overall construction time line.

Meanwhile the committee continues its work, with its
members reaching out to individuals and businesses that might be impacted if
and when improvements do get made on U.S. 52.

One of the things the committee is working on is to
attempt to schedule Skype meetings between the Saskatchewan ministry and the
North Dakota DOT so that each agency is communicating with the other on a
regular basis.

Otherwise, Estevan officials have volunteered to have a
summit meeting sometime next spring that would be very similar to the one held
in Kenmare in October.

Marit says he will keep working with his U.S. counterparts
that will ultimately lead to safer highways from Regina to Minot.

“We support the committee’s efforts and are happy to share
maps and detailed rationale regarding the Highways 6 and 39 corridor improvement
strategy,” he said. “I look forward to continued collaboration with the Highway
52/Provincial 39 Committee.”

"A Closer Look at Saskatchewan Highway 39"

By Marvin Baker | The Kenmare News | 2017

Promoting a safer U.S. Highway 52 took a giant leap forward Tuesday (July 11) when North Dakota and Saskatchewan transportation groups met in Regina.

Three members of a committee promoting a safer U.S. Highway 52, and a representative of the North Dakota Department of Transportation, met with Saskatchewan Minister of Highways and Infrastructure Dave Marit in the provincial capitol to discuss the future of Saskatchewan Highway 39 and U.S. Highway 52.

Both Highways connect at Portal and while massive improvements are being done on 39 Highway, as it is called in Saskatchewan, no changes are planned for U.S. Highway 52 from the border to U.S. Highway 2 near Minot. READ MORE

"Central Trade Corridor Proponents Meet in Energy City"

By Norm Park | Estevan Mercury | May 25, 2016

There were nine panelists with varying interests and spheres of influence, two keynote presenters who took bold looks into the near future and 60 or more delegates, many of them from North and South Dakota, as well as southern Saskatchewan. They gathered in the main conference room at the Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute (SETI) in Estevan on May 18 to discuss the future of an international trade corridor that includes Mexico, six American states, most of Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta. They talked about a corridor that will embrace technology that most business buyers and sellers and the general public have yet to fully comprehend. The talk was futuristic in nature, but very real in terms of potential applications as the Central North American Trade Corridor Association (CNATCA) conducted this futuristic look on a local educational campus.

Steve Pedersen, former president of the CNATCA, served as co-host for the idea exchanges along with Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig. READ MORE

"Plan in the Works for Driverless Highway from Canada to Mexico"

By Jennifer van der Kleut | April 6, 2016

Many experts have said one of the biggest concerns with introducing self-driving cars into society is mixing them on the same streets with human-driven cars.

That’s one of the main reasons why North Dakota native Marlo Anderson says he is working with the Central North American Trade Corridor Association (CNATCA) to develop his idea for an “autonomous highway” that would stretch from Canada to Mexico.

Anderson’s “Autonomous Friendly Corridor” would actually make use of an already-existing highway that he says is widely underused–U.S. Highway 83. READ MORE

"Group Wants to Build Corridor for Unmanned Vehicles"

By Jessica Holdman | The Bismarck Tribune | March 23, 2014

A trade group wants to create a pathway for self-driving vehicles from Canada, through North Dakota and other states south to Mexico.

One of the issues with the middle part of the U.S. is the lack of north-south avenues to move commerce, said Marlo Anderson of the Central North American Trade Corridor Association. Rail and major roads move east to west. READ MORE

"Autonomous Vehicles Are Here Now and Ready To Go"

By David Rookhuyzen | david.rookhuyzen@capjournal.com

The logistics are still unclear, but the testing of unmanned vehicles along South Dakota roads may be closer than most think.

The Central North American Trade Corridor Association made headlines last week when it discussed plans to test automated vehicles in the central part of the country within the next five years. Two possible test routes announced by the group were between Minot and Bismarck, within North Dakota, or across state lines between Bismarck, N.D., and Pierre.

“The technology is here. Autonomous vehicles are here now and ready to go,”

Marlo Anderson, an interim board member for the association heading up the work on autonomous vehicles, said the route between Bismarck and Pierre has several attractive qualities for this type of testing. READ MORE

It’s easy to imagine a world filled with autonomous vehicles: we’ve seen it in movies like Minority Report. But what’s hard to imagine is the road we have to travel to reach that point.

Marlo Anderson, the CEO of Zoovio and host of the Tech Ranch, is heavily involved with the Central North American Trade Corridor Association (CNATCA). In fact, he’s made it his mission to help reform policy and inform civilians about the benefits of autonomous vehicles both on land and in the air.

And while his work is only in its initial startup phase, Anderson has been able to take some big steps toward shifting perhaps one of the biggest paradigms of our culture. I was able to catch up to him and get a deeper look at what he’s doing and why it’s so important. READ MORE

"Unmanned Vehicles through the Heart of North Dakota?"

Associated Press | Bismarck - KEYZ am |March 19, 2014

A trade group wants to create a pathway for unmanned vehicles through the central U.S. Marlo Anderson with the Central North American Trade Corridor Association says that major railways and roads move east to west in the middle part of the country, and there's a lack of north-south avenues.

The association is starting an initiative to develop regulations for driverless vehicles, both on the ground and in the air. One roadblock is that the emerging technology is ahead of regulations. Anderson says within five years he hopes to have a trial corridor, possibly from Bismarck to Minot or to Pierre, S.D. Association Chairman Steve Pederson calls the idea "visionary." He says in 10 years, the transportation industry will look a lot different than it does today. READ MORE"Group Seeks Central US Path for Unmanned Vehicles"

A trade group wants to create a pathway for unmanned vehicles through the central U.S., from Canada to Mexico.

The Central North American Trade Corridor Association is launching an initiative to develop regulations for driverless vehicles on the ground and in the air.

“It’s a proven but still emerging technology,” association member Bill Davis told The Bismarck Tribune. “In the first step of this project, we’re trying to create interest and awareness. The more effective we can be with transport, the more competitive we can be economically.”

One roadblock is that the emerging technology is ahead of regulations. Another is that major railways and roads in the middle of the country move east to west, and there is a lack of north-south avenues, association member Marlo Anderson said.READ MORE"Pierre, One Possible Destination for Unmanned Vehicle Corridor"

Associated Press | Bismarck | March 19, 2014

A trade group wants to create a pathway for unmanned vehicles through the central U.S., from Canada to Mexico.

The Central North American Trade Corridor Association is launching an initiative to develop regulations for driverless vehicles on the ground and in the air.

“It’s a proven but still emerging technology,” association member Bill Davis told The Bismarck Tribune. “In the first step of this project, we’re trying to create interest and awareness. The more effective we can be with transport, the more competitive we can be economically.”

One roadblock is that the emerging technology is ahead of regulations. Another is that major railways and roads in the middle of the country move east to west, and there is a lack of north-south avenues, association member Marlo Anderson said.

Within five years the association hopes to have a trial corridor, possibly from Bismarck to Minot, or to Pierre, S.D., to prove the technology, Anderson said. Ports would need to be developed to fuel and service the vehicles and drones, creating a business opportunity for local entrepreneurs, he said.

“I think it’s very visionary,” said Steve Pederson, acting chairman of the association. “Ten years from today, things are going to be a lot different than they are now in transportation.”"Group Wants to Build Corridor for Unmanned Vehicles"

A trade group wants to create a pathway for self-driving vehicles from Canada, through North Dakota and other states south to Mexico.

One of the issues with the middle part of the U.S. is the lack of north-south avenues to move commerce, said Marlo Anderson of the Central North American Trade Corridor Association. Rail and major roads move east to west.

The association is starting an initiative to develop regulations for driverless vehicles, whether on the ground or in the air. It will discuss the initiative Wednesday and Thursday at the Trade & Transportation Summit in Bismarck. READ MORE"Hoeven, Canadian Envoy Push for Keystone XL Oil Pipeline"

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., issued another call Wednesday for approval of the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline while in Bismarck for part of a two-day trade summit.

Joining Hoeven’s call was Canadian Ambassador to the United States Gary Doer, who was in town to speak at the Transportation and Trade Beyond Borders Summit at the Ramkota hotel.

“We believe it just makes sense to go with this pipeline,” Doer said.

The Keystone pipeline would stretch from the Canadian province of Alberta to the Gulf Coast. Of the total pipeline capacity of 830,000 barrels of oil per day, 100,000 barrels per day has been promised to Bakken crude.

The majority of the oil traveling through the pipeline would be Canadian oil from the Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta. Opponents have cited environmental concerns along portions of the pipeline’s route. Republican lawmakers, including Hoeven, have argued that the pipeline would create thousands of jobs and increase infrastructure capacity for shipping crude. READ MORE

"Dalrymple Promotes North Dakota Trade Mission, Exports In Talks With Canadian Ambassador Doer"

Bismarck | Farm and Ranch Guide | March 18, 2014

Gov. Jack Dalrymple will meet in Bismarck late today with Gary Doer, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, to discuss plans for a North Dakota trade mission to Canada the week of June 9, 2014. A delegation of North Dakota exporters will travel to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, Canada with the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO). “Canada is by far the largest buyer of North Dakota goods and services and it’s important that we continue to develop this important trade relationship,” Dalrymple said. “The demand for North Dakota’s high-quality products and services continues to grow around the world. Sending a trade delegation to Canada is part of our ongoing work to expand North Dakota’s international business opportunities and further diversify our state economy.”

For nearly 10 years, Gov. Jack Dalrymple and other state officials have worked to increase North Dakota’s presence in the global marketplace. In 2005, the state created the NDTO to help North Dakota businesses market their products and services in high-demand markets throughout the world. Dalrymple, Sen. John Hoeven and the NDTO staff also successfully worked to get established in Fargo an office of the U.S. Commercial Service. Together, the NDTO and U.S. Commercial Service are dedicated to expanding the state’s global business opportunities through advocacy, education and international business services. READ MORE